Kubiak reveals Shanahan called Texans' plays vs. Bears

Shanahan called the shots for TexansKubiak says he let coordinator run offense vs. Bears

By John McClain |
December 30, 2008

As shown by Sunday’s game, Kyle Shanahan is ready to take on a bigger role for the Texans on game days.

On the day after the Texans defeated Chicago 31-24 to finish 8-8, coach Gary Kubiak declined to discuss the job status of defensive coordinator Richard Smith, but he did drop a bombshell about offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Kubiak wouldn’t comment on national reports that Smith and some defensive coaches are going to be fired, saying that he, general manager Rick Smith and owner Bob McNair were undergoing an evaluation process.

But when asked why the Texans, who entered the game as the worst red-zone offense in the league, scored three touchdowns and a field goal in four trips inside the Bears’ 20, Kubiak surprised reporters at his weekly news conference.

“Because Kyle called very good plays there,” Kubiak said, smiling. “He called a great game. You didn’t know that, did you?”

Even though Shanahan has played a role in some of the play-calling this season, Kubiak had done most of it. Until the last game.

“He called his first NFL game, and he did a hell of a job,” Kubiak said. “I thought it was time. I walked in the office Friday, and I told him he was calling the game.”

Shanahan wasn’t shocked when Kubiak said he would call the plays against the Bears.

“I was a little surprised,” Shanahan said. “He’d told me before I was going to call the plays, but he’d never flat-out done it like he did Friday. I didn’t want to get my hopes up and have him change his mind during the game.

“He almost took it away early in the game — and I would have understood if he had — but I told him I thought we could get through it (10-0 first-quarter deficit), and he showed the confidence in me to let me work my way through it.

“I’m so glad he gave me the opportunity. It was awesome.”

By letting Shanahan take over play-calling duties, Kubiak was able to focus on the big picture — both sides of the ball as well as clock management and replay challenges.

Sideline schooling

Shanahan’s father, Denver coach Mike Shanahan, had gone through the same process with Kubiak when he was offensive coordinator with the Broncos.

“I went through it with his dad, and I got more and more comfortable,” Kubiak said about calling plays. “When I let Kyle know on Friday, I felt good about the job he’d done and the way he’d gone about his business.

“And it’s a comfortable feeling for me as we move forward.”

The Texans were coming off their worst game of the season — the loss at Oakland. They were going against the Bears, who needed to win to make the playoffs and who came to Reliant Stadium ranked fourth against the run. The Texans generated 455 yards.

“I don’t know why,” Kubiak said when asked why he waited until the last game of the season. “It’s just a gut feeling I had as we prepared. And understand this, he called a great deal of plays throughout the season.

On the field

Shanahan has coached from the sideline all season. His eye in the sky — or his coach in the press box — has been offensive assistant Mike McDaniel, who does a terrific job of working with Shanahan.

“I’ve been on the sideline my entire career, and I feel comfortable there,” Shanahan said. “I’m comfortable with Mike in the box calling out the coverages.”